Save your selection of topics

Create an account to be able to save your selection of topics. Your selection will be saved to your account and available every time you login to your different devices; computer, tablet or smartphone.

Sign up

Advertisement

Advertisement

Large-scale hydrogen bus project shortlisted for EU funding

Bioenergy International

Research & Development

September 29, 2018

Norway-headed hydrogen technology developer and provider Nel ASA has announced that the H2BusEurope project has been shortlisted by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme for a proposed award of close to EUR 40 million for the deployment of a fleet of fuel cell buses and supporting infrastructure.

The H2BusEurope project is an ambitious project developed by Nel and other leading industry partners to get a total of 600 fuel cell city buses on the roads in selected regions in Europe and establish sufficient supply of green hydrogen with Nel and H2Stations.

We are extremely pleased that the CEF program has selected our project for a proposed award of EUR 40 million. Hydrogen buses are ready for large scale deployment in Europe, and this project is a significant stepping stone in reducing the total cost of ownership of hydrogen buses towards a level close to fossil fueled buses, said Jacob Krogsgaard, Senior Vice President of Nel Hydrogen Solutions.

The CEF committee today approved the list of projects for proposed CEF awards, where the H2BusEurope project is ranked on the list to receive close to EUR 40 million of support from EU. Nel and the H2BusEurope partners will reveal further details on the project within a few months.

With this latest announcement, we are again confirming our position as the leading partner for the fast-growing heavy-duty markets. Nel is ready with complete solutions to produce, store, distribute and dispense hydrogen for this important segment, said Krogsgaard.

Recently Nel officially inaugurated its H2Station manufacturing factory in Herning, Denmark with an annual nameplate capacity of up to 300 H2Stations. In Norway, the company is investing NOK 150 million (≈ EUR 15.5 million) in a ten-fold capacity expansion at its Notodden facility. Each H2Station can serve a fleet of 400-800 fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) or 30 fuel cell electric buses.

About Connecting Europe Facility

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is a key EU funding instrument to promote growth, jobs, and competitiveness through targeted infrastructure investment at European level. It supports the development of high performing, sustainable and efficiently interconnected trans-European networks in the fields of transport, energy and digital services. CEF investments fill the missing links in Europe’s energy, transport, and digital backbone.

In addition to grants, the CEF offers financial support to projects through innovative financial instruments such as guarantees and project bonds. These instruments create significant leverage in their use of EU budget and act as a catalyst to attract further funding from the private sector and other public sector actors.